Four-time champion Novak Djokovic headlines the first night session of the US Open, kicking off his latest quest for an elusive 25th Grand Slam title against Argentina’s Mariano Navone on Sunday.
Djokovic’s physical fitness will be under the microscope after he acknowledged the sweltering temperatures in Cincinnati, where he fell to Thiago Tirante in his first match since his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Sinner. The 48th-ranked Navone, whose best Grand Slam run to date is a round of 32 appearance at Roland Garros last year, could offer a chance for Djokovic to ease into the tournament.
“I think I’m doing a lot of things better now …
Pegula said this week that she’s a “much better player” than she was in that 2024 final. I would love to get myself back into that position,” she said. Critics might question whether the precious wildcards should go to a player clearly on the wane, rather than an up and coming youngster, but Craig Tiley, chief executive of the US Tennis Association, said her contribution to the game and what she brings to an event made it an easy choice. “I think she’s a magnificent champion, an American tennis icon,” Tiley said of Williams, who will also play doubles alongside younger sister Serena. “We see the feedback the fans give us, and they want to see Venus play.”
